Gregory Border 25 vs. Able Carry Max Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Gregory Border 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| Gregory Border 25 | Feature | Able Carry Max Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | hideable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PVC-Free Coated 210D High Density 66 Nylon & 100% Recycled 450D Polyester with C0 DWR: designed without PFAS | X-Pac Fabric and Cordura 1000D Nylon Weight: 1.7kg xpac; 1.6 cordura ripstop |
Able Carry Max Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $278 |
Key differences between the Gregory Border 25 and Able Carry Max Backpack
- Opening: Other on the Gregory Border 25; Clamshell on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Gregory Border 25; Hideable on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Gregory Border 25; 17in on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Gregory Border 25; 6 on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 132 accept both. 4 accept only the Gregory Border 25, and 35 accept only the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Only the Gregory Border 25 fits
Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian.
Only the Able Carry Max Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Gregory Border 25 vs. Able Carry Max Backpack: which should you pack?
The Able Carry Max Backpack carries 5L more than the Gregory Border 25 (25L vs. 30L), while the Gregory Border 25 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Able Carry Max Backpack fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Able Carry Max Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Gregory Border 25 is the better call.